David Adjaye

Cost of Most Current U.S. Project:$15 million, Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver

Major Awards: RIBA First Prize Bronze Medal (1993)

Press mentions: 198

A Tanzanian-born British architect, Adjaye, 40, has designed chic homes for stars like Ewan McGregor and Alexander McQueen, trendy bars and fancy boutiques scattered all over London. On the other end of the economic spectrum, he built two renowned libraries in low-income areas of London. Now England’s “It” boy is tackling higher-profile buildings abroad, like the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver set to open in October.